The Experience

Augill is a one-off, a folly castle in beautiful country. It may look grand, but it’s anything but – Simon and Wendy run their home with a rod of pure sponge. It’s wonderfully informal and children love it. There are no uniforms, no rules, you just come to kick off your shoes and relax. You can do this in various places: on sofas in front of the fire in the hall; by a grand piano in the music room; in the honesty bar that opens onto a terrace; or in the cinema in the old potting shed. Breakfast is served communally in a vast dining room under a fine, ornate ceiling – local bacon, eggs from resident hens, homemade breads and jams. Elsewhere, panelled walls, roaring fires, books, art and antiques. Colourful bedrooms are all different. Some are enormous, one has a wardrobe in the turret, you’ll find big bathrooms, bold colours and vintage luggage. Cottages are good for families and there’s lots for children to do – dressing up boxes, five acres of gardens, a treehouse and playground, too. The Dales and the Lakes are close, but sybarites may just want to stay put. You can come to get married, too.

Reviews

Just a brilliant place to stay - unlike anywhere else. It's gorgeous and luxurious, without being pretentious. Help yourself to the honesty bar, tea and coffee (and cake), play the grand piano, grab a book - it's like playing lord and lady of the manor. We had our wedding here ten years ago and it's only got better

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Clare, WhitstableFeb 2018

What a fabulous stay we had at Augill Castle! From the moment we arrived after a long Friday night drive we knew we were going to have a wonderful weekend! We had a warm welcome from Simon , Wendy and their staff and were blown away by our beautiful room and comfortable shared areas where you could kick off your shoes and sink into a lovely sofa in front of the fire. Simon and Wendy have done a wonderful job renovating the castle and we loved the shared dining area where we enjoyed beautiful breakfasts and a delicious evening meal in the company of other guests. A perfect stay!

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Rebecca, Forest of deanJan 2018

We have been travelling with Sawdays as our companion for years and invariably have found the places to stay recommended to be one of a kind. So it is with Augill Castle - simply the epitome of what a Sawdays place is all about.
We stayed for the weekend of the castle's Burns Night supper. Simon and Wendy, our hosts were utterly charming and entertaining, the mix of guests and friends staying totally enthralling and the staff were superb (we understand that both the owners children now work part time at the castle so it really is a family affair). Bedrooms, food, everything was sublime.

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Stephen, LondonJan 2018

Augill Castle proved to be the perfect place to celebrate a ‘big’ birthday with family and friends. What I wanted was a venue different enough to feel special and intimate enough to feel relaxed whilst also being equipped to provide luxury touches such as huge baths, extraordinarily comfortable beds and a private dining experience. Augill Castle and their team of lovely staff (who know how to be attentive without being intrusive) provided all this and more. I can’t think of anywhere where I would have rather spent my birthday weekend and I can’t wait to visit again soon.

The neighbourhood

Augill Castle is in the Eden Valley, one of England's most unspoilt landscapes with one of the World's best trout rivers at its heart.

Set at the foot of the North Pennines, England's last great wilderness, the castle is mid-way between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, Britain's two most popular national parks.

Augill Castle is unlike anywhere you have ever stayed before. We do not offer just a place to stay but a slice of genuine, quietly groovy, country house living. Everyone is welcome - we are particularly popular for multi-generation family gatherings.

The castle is a mecca for outdoor people. We have the best walking in England from the front door, quiet lanes and rugged terrain to suit every kind of cyclist, world class grouse moors surround us and the Lake District is the Adventure capital of Britain

The Sunday Times includes us in its Ultimate 100 British Hotels as the best family hotel in the north of England. We look after the whole family with space to express yourselves and freedom to relax. In 2016 we won a Good Hotel Guide Cesar award.